Folding machine



Feb. 12, 1935. w J NElDlG J 1,990,495-

FOLDING momma Filed June 20, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invent on max fu i r-4A Feb. 12, 1935. w J NE|D|G l}990,495

FOLDING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 12,1935 FOLDING MACHINE William Jonathan Nei dig, Chicago, 111.

Application June 20, 1932, Serial No. 618,131

si'olaims.

The invention relates to mechanisms designed toffold various sizes andweights of paper such as are commonly employed in commercial job foldingor in oflice folding. 1

In usual Jobbing folders of the knife type a cam-operated knife strikesa positioned sheet into a fold between pressure rolls, which in this useact as folding rnein ers. Such aknife is at once retracted and does notact advancingly upon the. sheet; In order that it 'may be retractedwithout carrying the sheet with it, both pressure roils are gear-drivento give them-a stripping friction greater than that between the sheetand the knife. Thereafter the rolls become sheet-advancing agents, andin connection with other agencies such as tapes assist in bringing thesheet into the position required for its further folding, where a newknife will strike it between a new pair of rolls. In many cases this newsheet position is not readily alterable, or not alterable at all; inothers the sheet is brought to a stop in .a manner hard to control,against a gauge from which it tends to rebound, and the gauge is notreadily accessible for adjusting.

My invention is largelydirected at eliminating the difficulties ofadjustment involved where the folds and folding are frequently changed.

The invention comprises novel constructions some of which performfunctions new in the art. One of these is a novel construction combinedwith a follow-through sheet-advancing folding blade, that is to say, ablade that follows through with the sheet after folding it instead ofbeing retracted, andhas as a purpose the varying of the next-stagefolding action through varying the advance of the blade. This isbelieved to be new. The construction admits of adjustments having noveluses. Through one such adjustment the sheet can be presented to the nextfolding blade so as to be engaged near-its leading edge for edgew-iseforwarding, without being folded thereby, and without being detoured outof the operative cycle. Through another such adjustment the sheet may bepresented to -'e next folding blade for engagement near its rearwardedge for similar forwarding. One of such switching actions continues theforwarding without disturbing the original lay of the sheet, whereas theother turns the sheet over and forwards it with its original leadingedge trailing. Through still another such adjustment .stage blade, orfurther still, and thus be switched entirely out of the operative cycle.Yet another such adjustment results in changing the position of thenext-stage fold on the sheet, and since such fold falls parallel to thatlast made, in changing the separation of two parallel folds. The mannerof accomplishing this resultis new and very useful in practice. In thecase-of all these functions, the adjustments can be made convenient tohand, and if desired while the folder is running.

In addition to these novel constructions my invention embodies the useof indicating devices to indicate to the operator what the effect of agiven adjustment will be, so that he can make advance adjustments foradesired fold or other purpose with speed and certainty, instead of bytrial and error. These usually comprise a pair of relatively movableindices or indicators, with symbols or such other visual assistanceadded as will be of value to the operator; Ordinarily the next-stagefolding line is found of most convenience as a datum. The indicatingpair may be adjustably movable and operatively stationary with respectto each other, or they may be operatively movable. Such use ofindicating devices is new in. the art.

Other objects of the invention include the supplying of an improved andsimplified stacking means, whereby a specially mounted followthroughblade is used to stack the folded sheets against a support withoutemploying. any other moving part. They include also the supplying of animproved means for entering or forwarding a sheet past the first-stagefolding devices without sustaining a fold therefrom. And they includethe supplying of a novel follow-through blade of divided constructionable to be discharged of its folded sheet over the unobstructed interiorends without change of operative position; so that retraction of itbefore discharging the sheet is not needed.

A further object of the invention is to supply an improved means forflattening the folds on sheets bearing unset folds. The invention inthis aspect comprises a special form of follow-through blade adapted tolie between the folds .to be flat-- so that an. incipient buckling ofthe sheet is able to flow off in contact therewith into normalsmoothness. Especially does such special construction prove ofadvantage, if the fold to be flattened. is a longitudinal one. The usualcam-struck knife and gear-driven rolls-stripping the sheet therefromcannot be depended on to flatten such folds without wrinkling the sheet.

One reason is that paper laid against paper tends not to flow readilyunder pressure. An-

other is that such rolls tend to advance the.

exterior layers of a fold over the blade-retarded interior layers, andeven a slight slip between the outer and inner shells will multiply whenfolded paper is advanced longitudinally, paper to-paper, betweenpressure rolls. The followthrough blade advances the sheet from withinthe fold, and its constructiondoes not permit of a slip between theouter and inner shells in entering. This use of a follow-throughconstruction is believed to be new.

It is a further object of the invention to sup ply constructions for thepurposes mentioned able to be adapted according to their nature for usein any one or all of the severalfolding stages, or in connection withusual folding mechanisms, for such purposes and in such use.

Another object of the invention is to supply a sheet-positioning bladeof an improved form especially suited to the first folding stage,although not limited thereto, namelyiattached upon flexible carrierssuch as chains or straps, for certain uses where ausual cam-struck knifeand rolls would be less effective even here. Other objects are asdescribed and claimed. 7 I attain my several objects by the mechanismillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a view inside elevation of one of the-embodiments of the invention, certain partsbeing omitted and certain structure being partly broken away. Fig. 2illustrates diagrammatically the folding action of the follow-through'blade, and Fig 3 the entering action of the blade upon an unfoldedsheet. Figs. 4 and 5 arediagrammatic views showing later positions oftheblade and sheet illustrated in Figs. v2 and 3 respectively. Fig. 6illustrates diagrammatically the folded sheet of Figs. 2 and 4 aspositioned by the bladefor furtherhfolding. Fig. '7 and 8 arediagrammatic illustrations of said sheet as folded and positioned inturn by the second-stage follow-through blade. Fig. 9 is a top view,partly in section, on the line F9F9, Fig. 1, of the embodiment, the feedboardbeing removed and certain parts in the foreground being omitted forthe sake of clearness. Fig. 10 is a view on anenlarged scale. partly insection. of a detail of construction. Fig. 11 is a detail view, partlyin section, of the lower end of a ratchet drum shown in. Fig. 9, andFig. 12 is a detail viewof the nearer end of the same. Fig. 13 is adetail view in section on the line F9F9, Fig. 1, of the foreground partsomitted. in Fig. 9. Fig. l4 illustrates the ease with which anotherfollow-through folding stage can be added to the mechanism shown inFigs. 1 and 9,

with certain omissions of parts already described. Figs. 15 and 16 arediagrammatic views showing the position of the sheet in the case of twocommon folds about to receive the completing foldp. Figs. 1'7. and 18illustrate the fold-flat tening and stacking action of the. mechanism.

Fig. le illustrates the position of a sheet when advanced to the nextoperative position without folding, if use is made of my retractibleconstruction; Fig. 20 is a view in side elevation of another embodimentof the invention,"certain parts being omitted for the sake of clearness.Fig.

211s a reduced scale View of the same on the l1ne F21F21. Fig. 22 is atop view of the embodiment, on the line F22-F22, Fig. 1,'but with partsthroughout the several figures.

merals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are employed for conare immaterial.

the feed-board removed, and with certain parts shown in section.

Similar symbols of reference refer to similar The nuvenience as'indicesin connection with certain adjusting devices described later.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 13 and Figs. 15 to191s described as follows:

This embodiment embraces three folding stages, each employing afollow-through blade. The first-stage blade has a revolvable operation,

ing action. The invention is not limited to the use of such mechanism,nor to the use in any particular folding stage of a follow-throughblade, it being possible to substitute therefor any usual foldingmechanism, where the use permits.

The two' side-frames, indicated at 6, are connected by two plate-likecross-frames 7. Sideframes 6 have journaled in them the ends of Thesecond-- stage and third-stage blades have a reciprocat-- shaft 8, onwhich are attached within said, frames two sprocket-wheels 9, adapted toengage driv- .i'ngly with two roller-chains 10, said chains beingsupported at other points by idle'wheels 11 journaled on pins 12 onframes 6. The chains serve as a flexible carrier forfollow-throughblade13 Said blade is constructed in two parts in duplex each beingattachedat the outer end upon one or'the otherof the chains, in suchmanner that the inner ends are separated. The construction is shown indetailin Fig.10, the side-plate 1&1 of one of the chainilinks having abracket-like extension upon which the blade is attached near thepitch-line of the chain. The construction at the right-hand chain (Fig.9) is the same, except that the blade extends to the left from it. Iprefer to employ a usual double-roller chain, and attach the blade to ausual removable link, but the type of carrier and manner of attaching Inorder to give the blade a shorter movement, 'I repeat the construction,

in this case three times, so that the chains are given a four-stageadvance instead of a'single one. The chains are driven from shaft 8,ashas been said, and serve as carriers for blade 13 They also serve toengage rotatingly upon revolvable folding members 15 and 16 throughsprocket-wheels 1'7 and 18 attached respectively suitable toothedwheel22 journaled on pin 23 on side frame 6 meshing therewith and beingdriven in turn by the'attached miter gear 24 meshing with miter gear 25attached on shaft 26. The relation of .the several toothed wheels andsprockets is such that for each revolution of shaft 26 chains 10 will beadvanced one-fourth of their length. Blades 13 receive adjacent supportat the moment of meeting the sheet from top and bottom guides 27,separated by block 28 in amanner to forma channel for the ends of theblades. (Figs. 1' and 13.) Theguides are Supported upon across-beam 29,attached at either end uponframes 6. Other associated structure isindicatedasfollows: A usual feed-board to assist in entering the sheetis indicated at 30,'and paper-tables at 3l attached upon cross-frames 7to support the sheet after passing between rolls 15 and 16.- The sheetupon receiving a fold at said rolls is positioned by blade 13 but analternative positioningmeans is provided for use when a sheet is enteredunfolded, namely retractible end-stops 32. These are attached uponsleeves 33, which are journaled upon inwardly projecting shaftlike pins34 attached upon side frames 6,;springs 35-' acting to hold saidend-stops in {operative position against the end of paper-tables 31'.The end-stops are retracted to permit the ad'- Vance-of blades 13by'levers 36 attached upon sleeves 33, said levers being engagedby'the'ex tensions of side-plates '14 of the chain-links before'described. Provision: is not made for a backing-up movement, because-inthis embodiment the chains remain stationary if the mechanism is backed'If the sheet is folded and advancedby blades l3 'friction means areemployed to prevent its displacement by gravity, one of the pins 34having attached upon it one end'of a guard 37-,the other end of saidguardbeing carried upon an inwardly'pro'jecting' pin 38 on frame 6. Theguard may be repeated as i'n'Fig. 22 'to' afford ad ditional friction.Thefriction in this case is supplied by the guard or guards' on one sideof the sheet and-paper tables31*on the other, the resilience of thesheet acting to pressit against the same. Theguards'se'rve also'to'prevent the buckling-of the sheet in steep positions as shown. Thechains are advanced'intermittently by the followingmechanism: Crossframes '7 have'jou'rnaled in them a driving shaft 39, the lowerend ofwhich has attached upon it arm 40,: bearin'g the downwardly-extendingpin" '41, on; which blocks-42 and 43 areindependently journaled. Shaft26'before mentioned has iournaled onz the lower end of it an open-endeddrum 44?, the lower portion of which 'partia1ly houses=a onetoothratchet-wheel attached upon said shaft. The construction will beunderstood from a description of the similar drum 4%, shown in detail inFigs. 11 and 12, the ratchet-wheel 'being indicated at 45, in this caseattached upon-shaft 46, upon'whi'ch said latter drum is journaled. *Acentral wall of said drum, indicated at 47, bears downwardly projectingpin 48; on which isjournaled pawl i9, and it bears alsoadownwardlyprojecting pin 50, on which is attached one end of spring51,the other end of which lasts to press the pawl into engagement Wlthltheratchetwheel (Fig. 11). The neareriend of said drum (Fig. 11) houses theattached helical spring 52, the other end of. which is attached upon thedownwardly-extending end :of support 53, attached in turn upon the lowercross-frame '7. The arrangement is such that drum 44 through thepawl-and-ratchet connection will act to ro tate shaft &6 in-a directionopposite to clockwise, and in turn will be rotatedbackwardly upon saidshaft by spring 52 when its driving force is withdrawn. Theconstructionioiv drum 441' and its: associated parts is the same, exceptthat in this case the pawl-and-ratchet-rotationof shaft 26 is arrangedto. be in clock direction and the pull of 'the spring tends-to rotatethe drum'in a direction contrary toclockwiser Drum 441 is rotatedfromshaft. 39, through a strap or belt'54- attached at one end:upo'n'its periphery and at the other upon block 42. Drum 44"islikewiserotated from shaft 39, through strap 55 attached at one end upon it andat the other upon block 43. Shaft 46 on which the latter drum is:journaled is itself journaled' in crosS-frames'l. The construction givesan alternating intermittent rotation to shafts126'and46, and throughshaft 26 intermittently; advances chains .10. I will be understood thatthe circumference of drums 44 and 441' is such that each will receiveone full revolution at each revolu tion of shaft 39. o

For producing the second fold Iemployiin this embodiment of theinvention another follow-.

through blade, indicated at 13 The form and action of this blade aresomewhat changed from' those of blade 13 as is also'theform oftheoperating folding members; Instead of striking the sheet betweenrevolving pressure rolls; blade 13 strikes it between stationary.folding members 56" placed adjacent to its-path on either side. Foldingmembers 56 inthis case take the. form ofipara'llel rods, andthey servealso as posts or s'trutsto separate cross-frames'l. It will be notedthat ii -they were removed, the apprcachedinne'r edgesof paper tables 31would act as folding members, or in default of these, adjacent structurelater to be described would so actlf' The sharpness of the fold-producedby blade 13 is notcritical', in this embodiment, sincethe fold producedthereby'is flattened la er. After strikin'gthesheet between foldingmembers 56,1blade 13 carriesitforward to the end of its throwin anadvancing action, where it'leav'esi'itjlin'the control of suitablestructure inthe required'position'to sustain the following fold. Suchposition can be readily varied, obviously, by varying. the extent of thethrow of blade 13 downwardly.

Theziconstruction is described as followsz'Blade' l3 is carried'upcnarms5'7 attached upon either end of-shaft 58, which is journaled betweensaid arms'in cross-frames One of said arms has an extension 59 bearingapin 60, onwh'ich'is journaled oneuend of a turnbuckle rod 61, the otherend being-journ'aledl on pin 62 on arm 63"attached upon shaft 45Therodfili is constructed with separable ends having; right-h'and and.left-hand threads for engagement withthe suitablythreaded turnbucklesleeve 64,'so that when the sleeve is rotated the: distance. betweenpins GOand 62 is'changed: 'A lock-nut-Bdlock's the sleeve againstshifting. 'The. arrangement is such thataccording as-rod 6l-is shortenedor lengthened by said sleeve, blade 13 will carry the folded sheet ashorter or longer distanceacross thenext folding line. This distance maybe indicated by indices 66," carried on an extension of cross-frame .7;through the cooperation of'pointer 6'7 on arm.- extension 59. Theturnbuckle construction alters the angular position of blade 13 vwithrespect to the'foldingmechanism, but not its angle of throw. Itsdownward throwimaya be varied alsozby varying the angle ofthrow,'as.shown inFigs. 14' and 22, to-be describedlater. 1 1 1 The edgeof blade 13 attached uponarms 57 describes an 'arc', and theblade'in'this embodi ment is shaped to operate in an arc. .It is narrowedbeyond arms 5'7 v so as to workbetwe'en cross-frames 7. The devicesactingto: hold the positioned sheet in place aft-er the withdrawal ofthe sheet-positioning blade are stationed in this embodiment oneitherside of the path of the blade. Preferably they act by friction, inthis case the 'springoi the sheetitselfsupplfing the frictional force.Folding members56 act frictionally upon the sheet. Pressure-rolls 68 and69, to be described later in connection with their other functions,likewise so act, since they remain stationary until the sheet passesinto the control of the next folding blade. Post or strut 70, attachedat either end to cross-frames 7, is so positioned adjacent to the paperpath as to act frictionally upon the sheet after its positioning. Thesheath-like plates 71 and '72, between which blade 13? inserts thesheet, assist in holding it in place; they are supported upon struts 73,attached at either end upon cross-frames '7. It will be understood thatthe friction required is small, the folded sheet tending to spring awayfrom the blade, and that in some positions of the mechanism wheretheforceexerted bylgravity is greater it may be increased at need byroughening the surfaces involved, or by spring pressure, as in anothersituation herein. j v

The third folding blade in this embodiment is indicated at 13 throughconstruction, actingflboth as a folding means and as a sheet-advancingand positioning" means. It also has a fold-flattening function. *It

cooperates with folding members 68 and 69,1 which in-this case arerevolvable, first by striking the sheet between them in a fold, if suchis required, and then by advancing the sheet between them in afold-flattening action, as between pressure rolls, said membersthereupon acting to flatten the preceding folds. Neither of'thesefunctions necessarily, requires members 68 and 69 to be revolvable. Therevolvable construction is preferred here because it enables one or bothof the members to assume an alternative sheet-advancing function, inassociation with blade .13 where the sheet is required to be advancedwithout folding. The positioning function of blade 13 is twofold;.likeblade 13 it acts from within the fold to position a sheet folded by it,in this case upon the stacking-board, and it acts alternatively .toposition a sheet not so folded in an engagement with either its rear orleading edge after the sheet has been advanced. In the first case itacts positively to thrust the'folded sheet behind the sheets stackedearlier. Inv the second case it makes room for the unfolded sheet to. beadvanced behind its thrust, and then positions it.

. Blade 13 is carried upon arms 573 attached on shaft 58 journaled incross-frames 7. Like blade 13 it is arc-shaped and suitably narrowed toplay between frames 7, and its length is such that it remains'inengagement with one or both of folding members 68 and 69 to the end ofits folding stroke. Rcarwardly it bears projections 74 having a paththrough grooves '75 in member 69. In some uses the projections are notrequired. They act upon the rear edge of an unfolded sheet topositionit, and are useful also to carrysuch a sheet beyond the point atwhich it might be engaged by member'69 on the backward throw of theblade. Blade 13 is operated through pin 76 on the nearer of the carrierarms 57, and a rod '77 journaled on said pin at one end, the other endof said rod being journaled on pin '78carried by arm '79, which isattached upon the upper end of shaft 26 previously described.

Revolvable folding 'members68 and 69, either one or both, are rotatedsolely by blade 13 each being yieldingly pressed against said bladeduring its folding stroke, except when the one is retracted as in Fig.19. They cooperate with the blade like ordinary pressure rolls infolding a sheet struck between them. but in addition they Like theothers it is of followaction required when the sheetis advanced with outfolding- They are described as follows:.

- Folding member 68 is preferably constructed having both ends of itsaxle 80 projecting through slots 81 in cross-frames 7, theaxle beingjournaled outwardly of the frames in arms82, which are journaled in turnupon pins 83 on frames 7. Each of said arms bears on either side of itsaxis pins 84 and 85, adapted to receive the ringed end of coiled springs86, the other end of said springs being attached upon pins 87 oncross-frames 7 When the springs are connected to pins 84, as in Fig. 9,folding member 68 is pressed toward folding member 69, but when thesprings are connected to pins 85, as in Fig. 19, folding member 68 isretracted into inoperative position, slots 81 limiting the movement inboth directions. Folding member 69 is preferably constructed having afixed or non-rotating axle 88, carried at both ends "upon springs 89insuch manner as to be pressed thereby toward folding member 68. Springs89 are attached upon cross-frames 7; by inwardly-projecting pins 90, theyielding movement of member 69 being limited by inwardly pro? jectingpins-91 on frames 7.; The purposeofthe retractible construction ofmember 68 is to facilitate entering an unfolded sheet upon member 69.Such a sheet may be entered in most caseswithout its use, but the sheetposition required-,is somewhaticritical. r

I The sheets thus folded are effectively tacked by the same mechanism.Associated with stackthey. serve to insure the absence therefrom of in-'terfering sheet-edges, and also assist in holding a positioned sheet inplace against the withdrawing friction of the positioning blade. Afurther spring 96 on post 97 may be employed to hold the stacked sheetsupright. The invention is not limited to the use of constructions of anyparticular form or type for any of these purposes, and in some uses someof them will not be required.

The sheet is indicated at 98 throughout the several figures. Shaft 39 isshownas driven from pulley shaft 99 through'chain 99a, but the drivingdevices form no part of my invention.

I The mechanism operates as follows: Figs. 1 and 9 show the severalparts in the position assumed at the end of the stroke'of blade 13*,midwayof the period of rest of blade 13 As shaft 39 is rotated, strap 55rotates drum 44, and through the pawl-and-ratchet connection, shaft. 46,whereupon rod 61 acts to withdraw blade 13 into its position of rest.The operator now turns sleeve 64 until'a desired index numeral comesop-'- posite pointer 67, positions'a sheeton the feed board, and causesshaft 39 again to be rotated, whereupon, since pin 41 on arm 40 hasreached the end of its stroke, strap 55 is slackened and strap 54 beginsrotatingdrum 44r,'thereby acting to rotate sprockets 9 and advancechains 10. This action carries blade 13 attached on the chains,.edgewiseagainst the sheet, which is car.- ried thereby between'folding members15'and16 in a fold and advanceddown paper tables 31 to the end movementof the blade, where it is frictionally held in place by the structureearlier described, including guard 37. The further rotation of shaft 39now causes strap 54 to slacken and strap 55 to begin rotating drum 44,and through it shaft 46, thereby through-rod 61 striking blade 13against the sheet, which is met at a point between the ends of blades 13Blade 13 now carries the sheet between folding members 56 in a fold inan action that discharges the sheet endwise from blades 13 before theyare again-advanced, and thereafter in a continuation of the movementbrings it into the predetermined position for the following fold, whereagain it is held in place by frictional detainingdevices, thefollowthrough blade in this case being withdrawn after positioning thesheet. The further revolution of shaft 39 now causes strap 55 'toslacken and. strap 54 to begin rotating its drum and through it shaft26, thereby through arm 79 and rod '77 operating blade 13 against thesheet. According as the sheet was originally entered in one lateralposition or another at the feed-board it will now have the positionshown in Fig. 15 or that shown in Fig. 16, but blade 18 will strike itat a point determined by the throw of blade 13 Blade 13 strikes thesheet between revolvable folding members 68 and 69, spring pressedtoengage it from either side, which thereupon roll upon the two faces ofthe blade in a flattening or sealing action over the several folds, theblade rotating them. In this embodiment they are rotated by friction,amore positive. rotation not being required for the uses in mind,-butthe invention is not limited to any particular type of drive for them,and it will be noted that the similar revolvable folding members 15 and16 havea toothed drive. The-continuationof the folding stroke of blade13 carries the sheet between the adjacent sheet-support 93 and thesheetsalready stacked, as shown in Fig. 18. At times a third fold will not berequired. In such cases'the operator will make a turnbuckle adjustmentgiving blade-13 a throw past'the third folding line .just sufficient tocause the sheet to beengaged, or else alternatively just short of thewidth of thesheet, so as tocause either its 'leading'edgeor its rearwardedge to be engaged'by blade 13 -and carried upon revolvable foldingmember 68or else-69, so as to be advanced-between the two. In the lattercase he will also retract folding member 68 by lifting the ends ofsprings 86 from pins 84 to pins '85. In such=case the bladecooperateswith member 69 to advance the sheet, and it also acts to makea path for the sheet behind the sheets already stacked. Springs 95prevent its displacement'by the withdrawal of the blade. The friction ofspring 96, or of the sheets already stacked, acts to preventdisplacementof other sheets by the blade. The same result in some cases will followif member 68 is not retracted, but thepositioning of thesheet by blade13 is more critical.

It will be seen that by advancing blade 13 jfar enough the sheet canbedischarged thereby without being engaged byblade 13 'at all.

Fig. 14 shows'the mechanism just described with an additionalfollow-through folding blade added for making a'fourth fold. The bladeis indicated at 13 it is carried upon arms 5'7 attached upon shaft 58journaled between said arms in cross-frames '7, and its construction isessentially that of blade 13 'p'reviously described.

Curved plate 93in this embodiment is replaced by sheet-supports 93mhaving similar stacking functions and alsoacting frictionally likefriction members 56, 70 and '71 to assist in holding the positionedsheet in place, spring 96 cooperating therewith. The blade is operatedby arm 100 at;

tached upon the rear .endof shaft 58 said arm H bearing a downstandingpin 101 on which is jourwhich pin '76 is adjustably positioned. Theconstructionwillbe more fully explained later in connection with Fig.22.A curved plate 934, is attached with stacking board 92 upon cross;frames '7 to serve as a. sheet-support. "The construction is such thatwhen rod 1021s slipped from pin 103,blade 13 can be left in the stackingposition shown in Fig. 14, if use is not required of it. In such casethe folded sh'eet'will be stacked by blade 13 upon stacking board 92.Pressure rolls of any usual or approved type are'indicated at 68m and69m to cooperate with blade 13 in a folding and fold-flattening action.Asoft spring 96 repeats the functions of spring 96 in such use, and thestacking action is like that already described.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 20, 21 and 22 differs-inconstruction from that before described. Use is made in all threefolding stages of afollow-thrcugh blade, but insteadof employingpressure. rolls for the first fold it makes this fold without them, andinstead of employing a revolvable carrier, namely an endless chain, forthe first-stage blade,-it employs a carrier, likewise flexible,havingareciprocating action. This embodiment varies the stoppingposition of the second-stage blade not by shifting its arc of throw as awhole, but by varying the angle of throw. The earlier embodiment gavethe several blades an intermittent folding action alternated with aperiod of rest. In this embodiment the period of rest is replaced by aperiod of idle movement, partly absorbed by suitable devices. Thisembodiment provides aspecialadaptation for first stage use-of thesheetentering provision shown in the third stage of the earlier one, forentering sheets notrequiring a first-stage fold. Theembodimentisconstructed entirely without using toothed gear-wheels or chains andsprockets.

It'is described as follows: The first-stage follow-through blade,indicated at 13m is attached at either end uponv carriers 10m,preferably straps, the forward ends of which are attached. upon theperiphery of wheels 106, these being attached upon shaft 10'? .journaledat the ends in side-frames 6m. Shaft 10'? bears also attached upon itbetween said wheels a drum orpulley 108, on which is attached one end ofbelt or strap 109, the other end of said strap being attached upondrum-segmentllO, attached upon the lower-end of shaft ;58m An arm l11.islikewise attached near the lower end of'said shaft; it bears on it a pin112 .on which is journaled one end of rod 113, the other endof which is'journaled on pin 114 on arm 115 attached upon the lower :end of shaft116 journaled in cross-frames -7m. The upper end of shaft 116 hasattached upon it an elbow-lever 117, one arm of which isslotted at;andsupplied with indices 66m on a suitable plate. The slot providesaseat-for anadjustable connecting device; consifiiing of a flattened andheaded bolt 118,;bushin cl19 and hand-nut =l20,

13m wi1i be carried, a position on the slot of bushing 119 giving saidblade a greater angle of throw or a less, according as it is nearer orfurther from shaft 116 its axis. "Rod 121 is journaled at its other endupon pin 122 on wheel 123,

attached upon the upperend of drive shaft 125 'ournaled in cross-frames7m, Straps 10m, at-

tached "at their forward end upon wheels 106, are attached at the otherupon roll 126, journaled on fixed axle127, which is attached at eitherend upon side frames 6m. A spring 128 coiled about said axle is attachedat one end thereto and at the other upon the rollgin such manner as toact rotatingly upon the roll againstthe pull of straps 10m. Straps 10mare bent engagingly over a revolvable folding member'69m, whose axle 130is journaled in side frames 6m, in such manner as to rotate it.Intermediate tapes or cords 131 are attached at one end to blade 13mandat the other to roll 126. These also pass over folding member 69mwhen extended; their purpose is to supply a sheet-advancing means for asheet not required to be foldedby blade 13m They constitute in effect anextension of the blade, and cooperate with revolvable folding member 69min advancing an unfolded sheet much as blade 13 cooperates withrevolvable member 69 in the earlier embodiment. A stationary fold:- ingmember 68m, recessed at said tapesj is underhung so as to be permanentlyretracted from the line of'feed, instead of being optionally retractiblelike member 68 in Fig. 9, the construction being such, like the earlierone, that the blade will enter a sheet unfolded from a considerablerange of positions and with great certainty. The underhung position ofmember'68m does not affect its folding function. It is not necessarythat member 68m be non-revolvable, nor that it be mounted out of contactwith folding member 69m, nor that the entered sheet be advanced bymember 69m through the cooperation of tapes. Like the sheet-advancingpressure rolls 15and 16 of Figs. 1 and 9, member 69171. is rotated bythe carrier of the first-stage blade. Friction-guards 37 in thisembodiment are multiple; as before they assist inholding thepositionedsheet in place after the completion'of the positioning stroke. Sinceblade 13m does not advance beyond this point, but is withdrawnbackwardly, the end-stops against which a nonfolded sheet is positionedafter passing from the control of member 69m need not be retractible.The present end-stops are indicated at 32m. They are attached upon papertables 31 on either side of their central division.

The second-stage follow-through blade in this embodiment is indicated at13m Its construction is essentially that of blade 13 and it is carriedupon similar arms 57 attached upon shaft 58. It is operated througharm-extension 59, pin 60 thereon, rod 61m journaled on said pin, and pin62 on an arm of elbow-lever 117. Instead of curved friction-plates 71and 72 toassist in holding the sheet positioned thereby in place,unourved plates 71m and 72m are shown. Otherwise the associatedstructure is similar tothat of the earlier embodiment. e

The third follow-through blade is indicated at 13 beingsimilar'inconstruction and use to 'naled in cross-frames 71m. Aresilient lever 82in attached upon said shaft'is' engaged at will uponprojection 84111. or projection 85m on one of said frames; if upon theformer, it acts as indicated in Fig. 22 to press member 68 toward member69, but if upon the latter, it acts to retract membe 68 into inoperativeposition.

operator through hand-nut and bolt 118 brings pointer 67m to therequired position opposite indices 66111., the sheet is positioned onthe feed-board, and drive shaft is rotated, thereby through pin 122 androd 121' causing elbow-level 117 torock shaft 116 through a greater orsmaller angle, and through arm 115, rod 113 and arm 111 on shaft 58111.causing segment 110 to rotate drum 108, thereby rotating wheels 106 onthe same shaft. Said wheels act pullingly upon straps 10m, bringingblade 13m against the sheet, which is carried thereby between revolvablemember 69m and stationary member 56m in a fold. The advance of the bladeis] continued until the foldedflsheet is positionedfor the next fold. Acontinued ro tation of shaft 125 now causes segment 110 to slacken strap109, thereby permitting roll 126 to take up straps 10m and withdrawblade 13m into its original position. A further rotation of shaft 125acts through pins 60 and 62, rod 61m and arm extension 59 toswing blade13m downward upon the sheet, which is struck in a fold between foldingmembers 56m as in the earlier embodiment and position for the followingfold. The remaining action is the same as that of the earlier embodimentpreviously described. It will be noted that the adjusting provisionvarying the angle of rotation of shaft 116, and therefore the angle ofthrow'of blade 13171. varies also the throw of blades 16m and 13 butinthe latter cases the throw is varied at the'idle end and not at theend of the work-stroke. It will be noted further that I employrock-shaft 116 as an intermediary between drive shaft 125 and theseveral blades, instead of operating them directly from the drive shaft,in order to make use of the dead centers available in this constructionto reduce theirultimateidle movement. The construction isnot essential.The advantage is that the mechanism is constructed more compactly so,and the blades strike the folds at a slower speed.

It will be noted also that the indicating devices shown herein areclaimed more broadly in my pending application for patent filed December19, 1931, Serial No. 582,142. In the said application the sheet is shownas folded over separable blades, and the width between the folding linesestablished thereby is directly indicated by movable devicesatthefeedboard, so that symbolic indices are not required. In the presentapplication the width between given folding lines is shown as variedbydevices that vary the action of a positioning 1, means, in this case afollowthrough blade, and an indicating mechanism'is The embodiment isoperated as follows: The

associated with said devices to indicate that width through indexsymbols.

:Having thus clearly explained the nature. and objects of my inventionand the manner of applying the same, I claim as newanddesire to secureby Letters Patent,-

1. In a folding machine, in combination: means adapted to make a fold ina cut sheet of paper, including folding members anda followthroughblade, said blade adapted to strike a sheet between said members in afold and thereafter through an engagement inside the fold to advance itinto a plurality of operative positions variably affecting itsnext-stage folding; and next-stage folding means adapted" to fold saidsheet when in one of said operative positions.

2. In a folding machine, in combination: folding means, including afollow-through. blade adapted to fold a sheet and position it fornextsta'ge folding and a next-stage blade operable in a pathintersecting the path of the same; and means interconnected with one ofsaid blades for varying the distance between the intersecting point ofsaid paths and-the point to which said first-named blade advances itsfold, thereby enabling the operator at will to vary the distance betweenthe folds produced by the respective blades on a given sheet.

3.- In a folding machine, in combination: folding means embracing aplurality of stages, including a follow-through blade adapted tocooperate in folding'a-she'et and thereafter through engagement insidethe fold to advance it out of reach of the next-stage folding means, forinterstage discharging purposes; and means adapted to control saiddischarging action.

i.v In a folding machine, in combination: folding means, including afollow-through blade adapted to strike a sheet into a fold andthereafter through engagement inside the fold to advance it intonext-stage engaging position for edgewise forwarding; and means engagingsaid sheet for such forwarding, whereby the sheet may be forwarded pastthe next-stage folding mechanism without sustaining a folding actiontherefrom.

5. In a folding machine, in combination: revolvable folding members, afollow-through blade adapted to strike a sheet in a fold between saidmembers and'thereafter through a continuation of its stroke to advanceit into a predetermined position beyond said members, and meanscooperating therewith effective ina folding operation upon cut sheets ofpaper.

,6. In a folding machine, in combination: revolvable folding members; afollow-through blade adapted to strike a sheet in a fold between saidmembers and thereafter through a continuation of its stroke to advanceit into a predetermined position beyond said members; and toothed meansconnecting said blade and said revolvable members to co-act whileadvancing said sheet between them.

"7. In a folding machine, in combination: a

sheet without folding" it into engagement with said member in afollow-through sheet advancing action toward its next operativeposition; and means cooperating therewith to position said sheet for thenext operation thereon.

8. In a folding machine, in combination: sheetadvancing devices,including a roll and a followthrough blade having a yielding engagementtherewith, said blade adapted to carry a' sheet against the roll and toadvance it thereafter, all

without folding it, thereby switching it past one folding stage withoutsustaining a fold, and without being discharged from its operative path;and folding means cooperating therewith to fold out sheets of paper.

9. In a folding machine, in combination: folding means, includingdevices yieldingly pressed toward each other, adapted to flatten a fold;and a follow-through blade adapted to enter, a. sheet between saiddevices and to advance the same thereafter completely through them in anaction able to flatten the folds thereon.

10. In a folding machine, in combination: means adapted to establish afold in a sheet; folding rolls adjacent to the subsequent path of saidsheet; and a follow-through blade adapted to carry such sheet betweensaid rolls and thereafter in a follow-through action in which said bladesustains a progressive engagement therewith to cooperate with the rollsin flattening the folds on said sheet. 11. In a folding machine, incombination: means adapted to make a fold in a cut sheet of paper,including a follow-through blade adapted to advance a sheet into aplurality of operative positions variably affecting its next-stagefolding; means adapted to make a next-stage fold in said sheet; andmeans adapted to varythe advance of said blade, thereby changingtherela-. tive position of said next-stage foldwith respectto saidearlier fold. f I 12. In a folding machine, in combination: folding.means, including a follow-through blade adapted to press the sheet intoa fold and thereafter to advance it beyond its next engaging positioninto a position out of reach of further folding means, for dischargingpurposes; and means adapted to change the advance of said blade, so. asto fold the sheet further or discharge it, at will. 13. In' a foldingmachine, in combination: folding means, including a follow-through bladeadapted to advance a sheet either into position for next-stage foldingor for edgewise forwarding unfolded; and means adaptedto vary the adVance of said blade, thereby'enabling the oper-' ator either to give hissheet anext-stage fold or to forward it unfolded past theneXt-stagefolding mechanism, at will. I

' 14. In a folding machine, in combination: a reciprocating bladeadapted to advance a folded sheet into its next operative positionthrough an edgewise engagement therewith inside the fold; and meansadapted to vary the point at which said blade ends its positioningstroke, for the purpose of varying theposition on the sheet of the nextfold. 15. In a folding machine, in combination: fold ing members; 'afollow-through blade operable to strike a sheet into a fold between saidmembers and thereafter to advance the same into position to receive afold parallel with the first; and means connected to varythe operationof said followthrough blade for the purpose of varying the separation ofsaid folds on the sheet.

16. In a folding machine, in combinatioma reciprocating follow-throughblade adapted to advance a folded sheet into positions variablyaffecting its next-stage folding; means adapted to vary the advance ofsaid blade so as to vary such sheet-positions and therefore thenext-stage folding operation; and indicating devices connected to saidmeans, said devices adapted to indicate the next-stage position to whicha given: adjust--.; ment will advance the sheet, thereby enabling theoperator tomake any desired adjustment in advance and with speed andcertainty...

'17. In'a folding machine, in combination: folding members;afollow-through blade operable to strike a sheet in a fold between saidmembers and to advance it thereafter into positions to receive a foldparallel to the first; means adapted to vary the advance of said blade,so as to vary the separation of said folds; and indicating meansconnected to said means for indicating the adjustment thereof, for thepurpose of enabling the operator to make advance adjustments for adesired fold separation.

18. In a folding machine, in combination: folding devices, including asheet-advancing followthrough blade mounted upon an axle parallel to itsworking edge, and a later-acting blade having a path crossing the pathof said first-named blade; meansadapted to vary the advance of saidfirstnamed blade past the intersecting point of said paths; andindicating devices relatively movable one to the other, adapted toindicate the adjustment of said means with respect to affecting theadvance of said blade, thereby enabling the operator to make quick andsure adjustments in advance for his desired folds.

19. In a folding machine, in combination: folding members; afollow-through blade operable to strike a sheet in a fold between saidmembers and adapted to advance it thereafter into a position to receivea next-stage fold parallel to said fold; means adapted to give saidblade a working movement; and means adapted, to shift the extent ofthrow of said blade, thereby varying the position to which it advancesthe sheet and therefore the separation of said folds on the sheet, saidmeans including a connecting rod of adjustable length. Y

20. In a folding machine, in combination: folding devices, including asheet-advancing followthrough blade adapted to advance a sheet intopositions variably affecting its next-stage folding; an axle for saidblade parallel to the working edge thereof; devices adapted to vibratesaid axle so as to give said blade an arc-like working movement; andinter-connected devices adapted to shift the arc of throw of said bladeso as to end its work-throw at varying points, said devices includingturnbuckle devices.

21. In a folding machine, in combination: folding devices, including-asheet-advancing followthrough blade adapted to advance a sheet intopositions variably affecting its next-stage folding; an axle for saidblade parallel with the edge thereof; devices adapted to vibrate saidaxle; and inter-connected devices adapted to vary the angle of vibrationof the axle, thereby varying the extent of advance of said blade andsaid sheet, and therefore the next-stage folding of the sheet, saiddevices including a crank-pin adjustable on a slotted lever.

22. Ina folding machine, in combination: folding means, including asheet-advancing followthrough blade adapted to advance a sheet intopositions variably affecting its next-stage folding; an axle for saidblade parallel to the edge thereof; means adapted to vibrate said axle;means including a crank-pin on a slotted lever interconnected to varythe angle of vibration of said axle, thereby varying theextent ofadvance of said blade and said sheet, and therefore the nextstagefolding of the sheet; and relatively movable indicators connectedthereto so as to enable the operator to make advance adjustments thereoffor a desired folding action.

23. In a folding machine, in combination: folding devices, including afollow-through ,blade adapted to strike a sheet into a fold andthereafter to advance the same in an arc-like path into stackingposition, an axle for said blade parallel to the working edge thereof,and means connected to vibrate, said axle; and a supporting memberpositioned between said axle and said stacking position, said memberadapted to support a sheet deposited against it insuch' manner that uponthe withdrawal of the blade the natural straightening of the sheet willtend to rock or straighten its rearward'eidge away from its original.path, thereby facilitating the edgewise entrance .behind it of thebladewith. the next sheet tobe stacked; l: i

24. In a folding machine; in combination: folding devices, includingafollow-through blade adapted to strike a sheet into a fold andthereafter, to advance the same in an arc-like path into stackingposition, an axle for said blade par.- allel'to the working edgethereof,and means con nected to vibrate said axle; and a curved sup-' portingmember positioned betweensaid stacking position and said axle, saidcurved member adapte ed to support a sheet deposited against it in suchmanner that upon the withdrawal ofv the blade the natural straighteningof the sheet will tend to rock or straighten its rearward edge away fromits original path, thereby facilitating the edgewise entrance behind itof the blade with the next sheet to be stacked.

25. In a folding machine, in combination: folding devices, including anaxle-borne followthrough blade adapted to strike a sheet into a fold andthereafter toadvance the same edgewise in an arc-like path into stackingposition, said blade mounted with its'working edge parallel to its axis,and constructed curved to conform to its arc of movement, therebyfacilitate ing its withdrawal; a supporting member positioned betweensaid stacking position and the axle of said blade; and a yielding memberadapted to press against the sheet advanced by said blade in a mannerpermitting its forward movement but resisting its backward movement withthe withdrawing blade.

26. In a folding machine, in combination, re-' volvable members adaptedto advance a sheet, a follow-through blade adapted to enter a sheetbetween said members, and carrier devices supporting and operating saidblade, means connecting the carrier devices to act rotatingly upon saidrevolvable members.

2'7. In a folding machine, in combination: folding members; a dividedfollow-through blade cooperating therewith to fold a sheet, said bladeconstructed in two parts-disposed end to end with a space between, topermit the discharge of the sheet over the interior ends thereof; andcarrier devices supporting the parts of said blade from either side.

28. In a folding machine, in combination: folding devices, including afollow-through blade adapted to position a sheet; flexible carrierssupporting the blade; and actuating means for said carriers, said meansincluding a crank connected to advance them a predetermined distance,thereby bringing the sheet into a required operative position. a

29. In a folding machine, in combination: folding devices, including afollow-through blade adapted to fold and advancea sheet; chain carrierssupporting the same; and actuating'means for said carriers, includingtoothed sprocket wheels and a crank ,driveadapted to give said wheels apredetermined rotation, thereby advancing the sheet into a predeterminedposition for next-stage folding.

30. In a folding machine, in combination: folding devices, including afollow-through blade adapted to position a sheet; strap-like carrierssupporting the same; and actuating means for said carriers, including acrank interconnected to advance them a predetermined distance andthereby bring the sheet into a predetermined position for next-stagefolding.

31. In a folding machine, in combination: folding means, including afollow-through blade adapted to advance a sheet; and flexiblereciprocating carriers therefor having a work-stroke established by aninterconnected crank and an idle stroke actuated through revolvableretracting devices from a spring, said work-stroke through said. bladeacting to advance the sheet into predetermined position.

WILLIAM JONATHAN NEIDIG.

